Dia Mirza Denies Telangana CM’s AI Image Allegation in Gachibowli Forest Protest Row

Hyderabad: Actor and environmental activist Dia Mirza has publicly dismissed Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s claim that she shared AI-generated visuals to support the Kancha Gachibowli forest protest, calling the allegation “baseless and misleading.”
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mirza clarified that she had not used any AI-generated or manipulated media.

“The Chief Minister of Telangana made a public statement yesterday suggesting that I had posted fake, AI-generated visuals related to Kancha Gachibowli. This is absolutely false,” she said.

Mirza emphasized that her original post was text-only, simply highlighting her concern over environmental degradation.
 Her exact words:

“Students are raising their voices for a future where nature thrives. Forests, not IT parks, offer young people a chance at a sustainable tomorrow. ‘Development’ at the cost of biodiversity is DESTRUCTION. Save Kancha Forest in Gachibowli, Hyderabad…”

The Background: Gachibowli Forest Auction Protest
The controversy began after the Telangana government announced plans to auction approximately 400 acres of land in Kancha Gachibowli, a green zone in Hyderabad. The move has sparked protests by environmentalists, students, and local activists, who fear the loss of biodiversity and urban forest cover.
During a review meeting, CM Revanth Reddy accused “vested interests” of circulating AI-generated content online — including videos of injured deer and crying peacocks — to mislead the public and provoke outrage. He named several public figures and influencers, including Dia Mirza, John Abraham, Raveena Tandon, and Dhruv Rathee, for allegedly amplifying these visuals.
However, Mirza strongly refuted her inclusion in the list, urging both the media and government to fact-check before making accusations.
Escalating Debate on Development vs. Environment
The issue has once again brought India’s development-versus-environment debate into focus. Critics argue that Telangana’s push for infrastructure growth must not come at the cost of green lungs like Kancha Gachibowli, which provide climate resilience, wildlife habitat, and urban balance.
Mirza’s rebuttal also raises concerns about the ethical responsibility of public officials when making accusations against individuals — especially when it involves misinformation.